The Police Headquarters’ Serious and Organised Crime Unit is conducting investigations at multiple levels into a serious case involving an alleged network engaged in illegal activities, including drug trafficking and distribution, protection services and other crimes.
Six people are being held in custody as suspects in the case. They include a 45-year-old convicted prisoner at Central Prison, his 37-year-old girlfriend from a well-known family due to their business activities, three of her relatives and another 40-year-old man.
Today, according to philenews information, police informed the deputy director of the Central Prisons about the ongoing investigations, the offences being examined and the possible involvement of three prison guards.
Following this development, deputy director Constantinos Constantinides sent a letter to the Ministry of Justice requesting that action be taken within the Cyprus Prison Service so that the three prison guards be placed on administrative leave.
Two of them had been placed on administrative leave recently as part of other investigations, however, following their actions this was cancelled and they returned to their duties.
As was stated in court by the case investigator during the presentation of five suspects in court last Friday, the 37-year-old businesswoman allegedly gave money to prison guards so that the convicted prisoner with whom she maintained a relationship would receive more favourable treatment at the Central Prisons.
Until today, however, investigators have not proceeded with other moves regarding members of the correctional institution.
Meanwhile, investigations into the case continue and it is expected that police will request the opening of bank accounts of some of the suspects to examine whether there is money that is not declared or justified.
According to police claims in court, following searches by prosecuting authorities at the residences of family members and their jewellery shop as well as the home of the 40-year-old suspect, cash amounting to around €300,000 was found. Its origin is being examined depending on the claims that the suspects will provide.
According to police, the money was the result of illegal activity, such as drug trafficking, protection services and illegal gambling services. From police calculations, as also stated in court, it appears that in recent months these allegedly illegal activities generated around one million euros, whilst they appear to have shared around €50,000 weekly.
Read more:
